Mount Kosciuszko - Facts on Highest Peak in Australia Elevation: 7,310 feet (2,228 meters) Prominence: 7,310 feet (2,228 meters) Most Prominent Mountain in Australia. Location: Great Dividing Range, New South Wales, Australia. Coordinates: -36.455981 S / 148.263333 W First Ascent: First ascent by an expedition led by Polish explorer Count Pawel Edmund Strzelecki, 1840. Highest Mountain in Australia Mount Kosciuszko is the highest mountain on the Australian continent . It is not, however, the highest mountain on Australian territory. Mawson Peak on Heard Island, an Australian territory in the Southern Ocean near Antarctica and between Australia and Africa, is the highest peak in any state and territory in Australia. Mawson Peak, a snow-covered volcano, rises to 9,006 feet (2,745 meters).

High Point of Great Dividing Range Mount Kosciuszko is the high point of the Great Dividing Range , a long mountain range that runs along the entire eastern part of Australia from Queensland to Victoria. Mount Kosciuszko itself is in New South Wales a few miles from its border with Victoria. continue reading below our video The Fastest Miles Ever Run Glaciers chiseled out the mountain, leaving glacial features like cirques and moraines, during the Pleistocene Epoch over 20,000 years ago. Kosciuszko National Park Mount Kosciuszko is the centerpiece of 1,664,314-acre Kosciuszko National Park , Australia largest national park. The park was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1977 for its many unusual alpine plants and animals. The alpine zone on Mount Kosciuszko includes many rare and endemic plants and flowers that are found nowhere else in the world. Snowiest Place in Australia The Mount Kosciuszko area is the coldest and snowiest part of Australia, which is mostly an arid and hot continent. Snow covers the mountain from June through October.

The area also has Australia’s only ski areas , including Thredbo and Perisher ski resorts . Named for Polish Explorer Polish explorer Count Pawel Edmund Strzelecki named Mount Kosciuszko in 1840 for Polish hero General Tadeusz Kosciuszko . Kosciuszko (1746-1817) joined the American Army during the Revolution, eventually rising to the rank of General as well as being the Deputy Engineer for the army. He was a defensive expert who created fortifications for Saratoga , Philadelphia, and West Point. He later urged that the Military Academy be situated at West Point . He was also friends with George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Kosciuszko returned to Poland in 1787 and waged war against neighboring countries for Polish independence. Later he retired to Switzerland, writing books about military strategy. After his death in 1817, Kosciuszko was hailed not only as a Polish patriot but also as a great American and a true citizen of the world.

Name Often Misspelled The mountain name was misspelled in English as Kosciusko but changed by the Geographical Names Board of New South Wales to the proper Polish spelling Kosciuszko in 1997. How to Pronounce Kosciuszko The tongue-twisting name Kosciuszko is pronounced in Australia as: kozzy-OS-ko. The proper Polish pronunciation is: kosh-CHOOSH-ko. Aussies often just called the mountain "Kossy." Aboriginal Names for Mountain There are several native Aboriginal names associated with the mountain, with some confusion as to the exact sounds. These are Jagungal, Jar-gan-gil, Tar-gan-gil, Tackingal, all of which mean “Table Top Mountain.” Easiest of the Seven Summits Mount Kosciuszko, the lowest of the Seven Summits or the seven highest points on the seven continents, is also the easiest to climb. The main trail to the summit is an easy 5.5-mile-long hike that is crowded with trekkers all summer. As many as 100,000 people climb to the roof of Australia every year.

Read Walking Tracks Australia for more information on hiking adventures down under. Is Kosciuszko or Carstensz Pyramid the High Point? Whether or not Mount Kosciuszko is one of the true Seven Summits is debated by all climbers attempting to climb the highest points on the seven continents . While Kosciuszko is the highest point on the Australian continent, many purists contend that the true high point is Carstensz Pyramid in Irian Jaya, which is part of Oceania and on the same continental plate as Australia. The difficulty of the two peaks also enters the discussion since Kosciuszko is basically just a hike while Carstensz Pyramid is technically the most difficult of the Seven Summits to climb. Many Seven Summitteers climb them both to negate the for-and-against argument. Australia's Highest Toilet Australia’s highest toilet is at Rawson’s Pass just below Kosciuszko’s summit to accommodate the masses and keep human waste from being a worse problem than what it already is.

Kosciuszko National Park - Things to Do & Attractions Kosciuszko National Park Highlights Kosciuszko Express Chairlift The best way to experience the spectacular views from the top of Mt Kosciuszko is by chairlift. The Kosciuszko Express Chairlift is open 365 days a year and takes you on an amazing 15-minute scenic ride. About Kosciuszko National Park Crowned by the sublime peak of Mt Kosciuszko, the country's highest mountain, Kosciuszko is a majestic national park covering almost 700,000 hectares. It is the State's largest national park and Australia's most extensive alpine region. Poet Banjo Paterson's evocative 1890 ballad The Man from Snowy River described the area as being where 'the hills are twice as steep' and the 'air is clear as crystal', and just as much holds true today. For adventurers, Kosciuszko National Park in the Snowy Mountains offers plenty to see and do throughout the year.

During summer, take your pick of kayaking, mountain biking , camping, bushwalking , fishing , rafting, caving, horseriding or spotting endangered species, such as the mountain pygmy possum. In winter, holidaying at Kosciuszko National Park is all about the snow. Make the most of your holiday by skiing and snowboarding at Thredbo , Perisher Valley , Guthega , Charlotte Pass and Mount Selwyn . Smiggin Holes is a great family-friendly ski area, with slopes for beginners to experts. You'll find a range of accommodation in the area, from motels and inns to alpine lodges, self-contained apartments and townhouses. If you prefer to stay a bit removed from the large ski resorts, try quieter Sawpit Creek . A number of excellent drives and trails are accessible to explore the surrounding beauty of the area. At the northern end of the park in Kosciuszko , you'll also find the Yarrangobilly Caves , five limestone caves that are approximately 440 million years old.

Must Do Thredboland Animals, Thredbo Alpine Village Kosciuszko Chalet Hotel, Charlotte Pass Kosciuszko Chalet Hotel, Charlotte Pass Kosciuszko Chalet Hotel, Charlotte Pass Charlotte Pass, Kosciuszko National Park Charlotte Pass, Kosciuszko National Park Charlotte Pass, Kosciuszko National Park Charlotte Pass, Kosciuszko National Park Mount Kosciuszko Summit walk Mount Kosciusko Overview - Peakware.com Convenient Center: Chalet, Australia Mount Kosciuszko is the highest mountain in Australia, located in the extreme southeast corner of the continent. Located between Melbourne and Sydney in the Australian Alps, Kosciuszko draws crowds from both cities, and has become a popular resort for both hiking and skiing. The area has rocky terrain and is heavily forested, and receives heavy precipitation (both rain and snow) during the Australian winter.

Mount Kosciuszko | mountain, New South Wales, Australia | Britannica.com mountain, New South Wales, Australia Written By: Mount Bogong Mount Kosciuszko, also spelled Mount Kosciusko, Australia ’s highest peak, rising to an elevation of 7,310 feet (2,228 metres) in the Snowy Mountains of the Australian Alps , southeastern New South Wales . Located 240 miles (390 km) southwest of Sydney , the mountain is situated in Kosciuszko National Park (2,498 square miles [6,469 square km]) and is near Mounts Townsend, Twynam, North Ramshead, and Carruthers (all exceeding 7,000 feet [2,100 metres]), whose melting snows feed the rivers and reservoirs that make up the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme. The region has been developed for winter sports. The mountain was named by Polish explorer Paul Strzelecki in 1840 in honour of Tadeusz Kościuszko , a Polish patriot and statesman. Icy slopes of Mount Kosciuszko in winter, New South Wales, Australia.

Mass Ave 975 Australia the smallest continent and one of the largest countries on Earth, lying between the Pacific and Indian oceans in the Southern Hemisphere. Australia’s capital is Canberra, located in the southeast between the larger and more important economic and cultural centres of Sydney and Melbourne. Snowy Mountains range in the Australian Alps, southeastern New South Wales, including several peaks that exceed 7,000 feet (2,100 metres)—notably Mount Kosciuszko, the highest in Australia. On their slopes rise the Murray, Murrumbidgee, and Tumut rivers, which flow inland, and the Snowy River, which flows... Australian Alps mountain mass, a segment of the Great Dividing Range (Eastern Uplands), occupying the southeasternmost corner of Australia, in eastern Victoria and southeastern New South Wales. In a more local sense, the term denotes the ranges on the states’ border forming the divide between the watersheds... 4 References found in Britannica Articles Assorted References physiography of Australia (in New South Wales: Relief ) External Links Corrections? Updates? Help us improve this article! Contact our editors with your feedback. MEDIA FOR: You have successfully emailed this. Error when sending the email.

Try again later. Edit Mode Mountain, New South Wales, Australia Tips for Editing Submit Tips For Editing We welcome suggested improvements to any of our articles. You can make it easier for us to review and, hopefully, publish your contribution by keeping a few points in mind. Encyclopædia Britannica articles are written in a neutral objective tone for a general audience. You may find it helpful to search within the site to see how similar or related subjects are covered. Any text you add should be original, not copied from other sources. At the bottom of the article, feel free to list any sources that support your changes, so that we can fully understand their context. (Internet URLs are the best.) Your contribution may be further edited by our staff, and its publication is subject to our final approval. Unfortunately, our editorial approach may not be able to accommodate all contributions. Submit Thank You for Your Contribution! Our editors will review what you've submitted, and if it meets our criteria, we'll add it to the article. Please note that our editors may make some formatting changes or correct spelling or grammatical errors, and may also contact you if any clarifications are needed. Uh Oh There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Close Date Published: March 15, 2010 URL: Access Date: January 20, 2017 Share Learn and talk about Mount Kosciuszko, Extreme points of Australia, Highest points of countries, Landmarks in Australia, Mountains of New South Wales Mount Kosciuszko is a mountain located on the Main Range of the Snowy Mountains in Kosciuszko National Park , part of the Australian Alps National Parks and Reserves , in New South Wales , Australia and is located west of Crackenback and close to Jindabyne. With a height of 2,228 metres (7,310 ft) above sea level , it is the highest mountain in mainland Australia. [2] [3] Various measurements of the peak originally called Kosciuszko showed it to be slightly lower than its neighbour, Mount Townsend . The names of the mountains were swapped by the New South Wales Lands Department in 1892 so that Mount Kosciuszko remains the name of the highest peak of Australia, and Mount Townsend ranks as second.

[5] The 1863 picture by Eugene von Guerard hanging in the National Gallery of Australia titled "Northeast view from the northern top of Mount Kosciusko" is actually from Mount Townsend. [6] [7] Contents It was named by the Polish explorer Paul Edmund Strzelecki in 1840, in honour of the Polish national hero, General Tadeusz Kościuszko , [note 1] because of its perceived resemblance to the Kościuszko Mound in Kraków . [8] The name of the mountain was previously spelt "Mount Kosciusko", an Anglicisation, but the spelling "Mount Kosciuszko" was officially adopted in 1997 by the Geographical Names Board of New South Wales . [4] The traditional English pronunciation of Kosciuszko is /kɒziːˈʌskoʊ/ , but the pronunciation /kɒˈʃʊʃkoʊ/ is now sometimes used, [9] which is substantially closer to the Polish pronunciation [kɔɕˈt͡ɕuʂkɔ] ( listen ) .

There are several native Aboriginal ( Ngarigo ) names associated with the mountain, with some confusion as to the exact sounds. These are Jagungal, Jar-gan-gil, Tar-gan-gil, Tackingal; however, all of them mean "Table Top Mountain." [1] Reaching the summit[ edit ] Mount Kosciuszko is the highest summit in mainland Australia. There is a road to Charlotte Pass , from which an 8-kilometre (5 mi) path leads to the summit. Anyone with a modest level of fitness can walk to the top. Until 1977 it was possible to drive through Rawson Pass to within a few metres of the summit. The walking track to Mount Kosciuszko from Charlotte Pass is in fact that road, which was closed to public motor vehicle access due to environmental concerns. This track is also used by cyclists as far as Rawson Pass, where they must leave their bicycles at a bicycle rack and continue onto the summit track on foot. The peak may also be approached from Thredbo , which is a shorter 6.5 kilometres (4.0 mi), taking 3 to 3.5 hours for a round trip.

This straightforward walk is supported by a chairlift all-year round. From the top of the chairlift there is a raised mesh walkway to protect the native vegetation and prevent erosion. Both tracks meet at Rawson Pass, at an elevation of 2,100 metres (6,900 ft) above sea level, from where it is about 1.6 kilometres (0.99 mi) to the summit. Australia's highest public toilet was built at this pass in 2007, to cope with the more than 100,000 people visiting the mountain each summer. [10] The peak and the surrounding areas are snow-covered in winter and spring (usually beginning in June and continuing until October or later). The road from Charlotte Pass is marked by snow poles and provides a guide for cross-country skiers and the track from Thredbo is easily followed until covered by snow in winter. Recreation[ edit ] Topographic map of Mt Kosciuszko including the approaches from Charlotte Pass and Thredbo. Kosciuszko National Park is also the location of the downhill ski slopes closest to Canberra and Sydney , containing the Thredbo , Charlotte Pass , and Perisher ski resorts.

Mount Kosciuszko may have been ascended by Indigenous Australians long before the first recorded ascent by Europeans. Each year in December, an ultramarathon running race called the Coast to Kosciuszko ascends to the top of Mount Kosciuszko after starting at the coast 240 kilometres (150 mi) away. Paul Every, who is credited as being the one who thought of holding such a race, was the inaugural co-winner in 2004. [11] Higher Australian mountains[ edit ] Puncak Trikora (4,750 m or 15,580 ft) in the Papua province of Indonesia . Mount Wilhelm (4,509 m or 14,793 ft) in Papua New Guinea . It is the highest mountain in that country. Mount Victoria (4,072 m or 13,360 ft) in Central Province , Papua New Guinea. Mount Giluwe (4,368 m or 14,331 ft) a volcanic mountain in Papua New Guinea. It is the highest volcanic summit in the Australian continent.

In popular culture[ edit ] Australian rock band Midnight Oil performed a song called "Kosciusko" on its 1984 album Red Sails in the Sunset , referring to the mountain. The spelling was updated to "Kosciuszko" for the group's 1997 compilation album , 20,000 Watt R.S.L. Climbing Australia's Highest Mountains Climbing the Peaks | Introduction | The Seven Summits, The Fourteen-thousanders, The Three Poles. Summiting the peaks of the world's highest mountains has been the life-long goal of many a modern day explorer. Unfortunately, Australia and our own mountains are too often overlooked in this quest for vertical adventure. Mount Kosciuszko, our highest peak at a mere 2228 metres, is considered no more than a pimple on the world stage. Reaching its summit, while a requirement to fulfil The Seven Summits (climbing the highest mountain on each of the seven continents), is hardly considered a mountaineering challenge by the world's climbing elite.

Infact you're probably more likely to have an accident with one of the many mountain bikers riding in the surrounding national park than you are following the clearly marked trail to the mountain summit. But does this mean we do not have any of our own peaks worthy of climbing? Are we forced to travel to the far-flung reaches of the globe to find inspirational mountain peaks or to experience epic mountaineering exploration? The Aussie 10 (summiting the ten highest peaks in Australia) is as impressive a trek as any other mountaineering expedition worldwide. Ok, so perhaps I stretch the truth somewhat and I haven't been to the Himalayas so I'm not really qualified to expound my subjective and patriotic views beyond our own sunny shores, however I can honestly say that climbing the ten highest peaks in Australia is not only very achievable for your average Edmund, Reinhold or Irvine, but can be completed in as few as two or three days, and best of all provides hiking in some of the most spectacular Alpine landscape Australia has to offer. The Easter Long Weekend provided the ideal opportunity for our own small group of intrepid explorers to attempt this epic adventure and determine whether the Aussie 10 is fit for the world stage.

One of the awesome parts of this entire expedition is that all ten peaks are located within the same Kosciuszko National Park and all the summits are within twelve kilometers of each other (at least as the Crow flies). The roughly fortyfive kilometre route took us just over 21 hours to complete, although we took numerous breaks each day and hardly set a cracking pace (we averaged about 6 hours walking per day). The hiking route generally follows the Main Range Track and Summit Road, both popular Alpine walks in their own right. Tthe actual summiting of many of the peaks requires detours from defined walking trails and instead cross-country hiking along unmarked or non-existent trails. However only basic map to ground navigation is required to summit each peak. Poor weather could makes things a little more tricky, so it would be wise to ensure some members of your party have more advanced navigational skills. | Getting there | The hike can begin at either Charlotte Pass or Thredbo, although starting from Charlotte Pass means the entire journey can be completed in a round-trip with the last day walking entirely downhill, while beginning from Thredbo means the last day will invariably be spent walking uphill.

We therefore chose to begin our journey from Charlotte Pass and after having carried four days of food, wet-weather gear, sleeping bags, stoves, tents etc (as well as a few Easter eggs to celebrate Easter) the downhill journey on the last day was certainly much appreciated. | Day 1 | Having spent our very first night driving the six hours from Sydney (from Melbourne is about the same distance) we managed a reasonably early 11am start at Charlotte Pass. The initial few hundred metres from the Charlotte Pass car park down to the Snowy River is really the only steep downhill section of the entire walk. After crossing the Snowy River the first of many sustained uphill trudges begins. Although not excessively steep, the entire walk does require a reasonable amount of up and downhill walking. No sooner had we settled into our walking routine than we came across Blue Lake, the first of many prehistoric glacial lakes. Even in the overcast conditions Blue Lake provides an ideal opportunity for a quick bite and photo opportunity. Blue Lake is as far as most day walkers tend to journey and the walking beyond is considerably more isolated. Mount Twynam, overlooking Blue Lake, was our first destination.

The third highest of Australia's peaks, Twynam sits somewhat isolated from the rest of the peaks and is probably best described as a really big hill. Nevertheless its conquering gave us all a small buzz and signaled that our journey had begun. We had bagged our first peak. Whilst catching our breath beneath the surveyors mark on Twynam's summit, studying our map to work out our next leg, we worked out that an unnamed peak just west of Twynam should actually be included as one of the official ten peaks. Our official climbing list downloaded from the Australian Government Geoscience website ( had provided us with our initial ten peak target. Although only a few metres separates this unnamed peak at 2136 metres, and the peak coming in at number ten, Mount Northcote at 2131 metres, we had come with one goal in mind and by crikey we were going to climb the ten highest peaks in Australia. The apocalyptic devastation (surely I jest) I'm sure we would all have felt if we'd only climbed nine of Australia's ten peaks would have been something we could not bear to carry on our shoulders.

Naming this unnamed peak Mount Dubious, in honour of the dubious claim that perhaps it should be peak number ten, we decided to climb it just in case. Call me obsessive, but this wasn't the only 'additional' peak we ended up climbing just to be sure. Carruthers Peak was the last our summits for the day, our walking trail passing directly over its apex. Curruthers offers some pretty awesome views of Mount Sentinel and Watsons Crags, jagged rock formations jutting out from deep canyons. We spent our first night camped at Meullers Pass overlooking Albina Lake, our dreams filled with our impressive achievements for the day. Two down, eight to go. It was our first night above the tree line that provokes me to spend at least a few moments suggesting the type of gear hikers should ensure they have when attempting a walk of this nature. Although we had fantastic weather for most of our weekend, we were above the tree-line for almost the entire trip and the weather can turn nasty pretty quickly. No sooner did the sun disappear behind the mountain tops each evening, than the temperature plummeted to below freezing. During the night all our water bottles froze and frost formed on the inside of our tents.

For me, rugged up in my new down sleeping bag, I found myself sweating during the night despite stripping down to my underwear, however for some of my colleagues the nights were spent wearing every available item of clothing, shivering in the fetal position while trying to sleep in wafer thin sleeping bags. Although we all survived, I'm sure a few extra dollars spent on the right gear could have made a world of difference. | Day 2 | Day two begun with an early morning wander up Mount Northcote, the lowest of the ten peaks. Little more than a stroll up a grassy slope, Northcote would hardly have seemed worthy of the climb, however what Northcote lacks in difficulty, it makes up in views. From the summit of Northcote, you are offered a three hundred and sixty degree vista of the entire Kosciuszko valley. Day two also allowed us to ditch our packs and journey into the Wilkinson valley, just West of Meullers Pass, to bag four more peaks. A trail behind Muellers Peak leads all the way to Mount Townsend and after a tricky rock scramble at the base of Townsend we found ourselves atop Australia's second highest peak (2209m).

The four peaks (Byatts Camp, Abbot Peak, Mount Townsend, Alice Rawson Peak) which make up the Abbott Range are pretty damn spectacular. These four peaks overlook a steep drop into the valley to the West, a broad vista across the Wilkinson valley to the East, and rounded out by the North Face of Kosciuszko (sounds impressive doesn't it). Perched just beneath the summit of Townsend we spent considerable time trying to work out which peak exactly was Alice Rawson peak. Bagging Alice Rawson Peak was a little more difficult to complete than anticipated, as a number of peaks all seem about the same height and are all in the same area. Our map wasn't any help either, as no spot heights were provided and the contour lines were also of about the same height. It wasn't until we'd climbed two other peaks in the general area (one of them has a stone cairne on top) and measuring the heights of each with an altimeter that we determined that the highest point is actually the very first peak you climb. Having taken our summit photos, we cut directly across the valley and back towards our morning starting point. This walk back across the valley is deceptively long and took us a lot longer than expected to complete.

It wasn't until quite late in the day that we finally returned to our packs. We decided we were spent for the day and returned back to the Wilkinsons Valley to spend our second night. The Wilkinsons Valley is probably the most popular of all the camping sites in the National Park, although is hardly crowded. While we must have counted about twenty hikers descending into the valley, there are enough flat camp sites that you don't need to get there first to secure a good spot. There are also many small creeks which can replenish water supplies. The temperature again dropped dramatically with the setting of the sun and we had another cold night. | Day 3 | Day three provided the most spectacular of all the peaks. Mount Kosciuszko was the first climb of the day. While the highest point in Australia, Kosciuszko would be, in my opinion, the least impressive of all the peaks. A well trodden and paved walkway leads right to the summit. Portaloos are available at the base of mountain, surrounded by a construction site which will soon become a permanent toilet facility. Unless you get to Kosciuszko early you end up waiting for a photo opportunity given the hordes of people who climb the mountain.

I read on one of the signs that more than 100,000 people climb Kosciuszko every year. We were lucky by arriving before 10am and were already on our way down when the first of the day walkers arrived. From Kosciuszko we again dumped our packs and followed the well-worn metal walkway which leads back to Thredbo. North Rams Head and Rams Head, in my opinion, are the two best climbs of the entire route. North Rams Head dominates the surrounding landscape, a rocky outcrop jutting up from the mountain top. North Rams Head is best reached by heading up the slope just before the metal causeway crosses the Snowy River. But the actual summit of North Rams Head is the most impressive of all, by far the most mountainous of all the mountains we climbed. A massive pile of huge boulders and jagged rocks must be scaled to reach the apex, but from here the views are stunning. We climbed directly up the northern face, however the approach from the south is a lot easier. This was the number one peak on my list. Rams Head, a few peaks to southwest, comes in at a close second.

Although not as steep, a rock scramble is required at the very end of the climb. However once atop the peak, you have spectacular views towards South Rams Head and West into the wilderness. The Rams Head plateau offers some stunning scenery, with the grassy flats broken by impressive granite boulders and rock formations. This is certainly an area I'd like to explore for future holidays. However, we had now climbed eleven peaks and had one more to complete our epic adventure. (We ended up climbing twelve peaks in total, as there was some uncertainty as to which we were actually the ten highest peaks). The final peak is the unnamed peak directly to the East of Kosciuszko. We bagged this on our way back to our packs. Another rock scramble just below the summit, this peak offers some pretty nice views over the Snowy River valley directly to the East. It was from here that we spotted our last camp site, a sparkle of water far across the Snowy River valley, near Merrits Creek. We climbed into our packs once more and cut down from the metal causeway into the Snowy valley below.

This walk provided us a new geographic formation, walking amongst bogs and marshes which make up the Snowy River spring (it reminded me of scenes from Lord of the Rings). My map showed an old ruin by the Snowy River, however we didn't manage to find any remains. The wet ground does however make finding a campsite difficult. The ground is quite damp and lumpy and we ended up walking to the very far side of the valley before we could a suitable location. Even here we were on sloping ground. In reality, we probably could have completed our journey on this final day, as the final and fourth day of trip, we only walked another hour before we were back at Charlotte Pass and our car. Nevertheless the final night provided us one more chance to enjoy being outdoors and some pretty cool star gazing, before we were all freezing again and dived back into our sleeping bags. | Day 4 | But we did it. We scaled the ten highest peaks in Australia and completed the Aussie 10.

Although I'm sure our journey would hardly rate as high on a difficulty scale, the landscape, terrain, scenery are truly awesome, and while not necessarily a mountaineering feat, this walk was without doubt one the most spectacular walks I've completed down-under. Australia's Highest Peaks Kosciuszko - Accommodation, Maps, Attractions & Events Kosciuszko Kosciuszko Highlights Standing at approximately 2,200 metres above sea level, Mt Kosciuszko presents a stunning perspective from its majestic peak. Catch a chairlift to the top of Australia’s tallest mountain to take in the incredible views of the snow-capped peaks and Kosciuszko National Park below. About Mount Kosciuszko Boasting incredible mountain ranges, vibrant apline towns and a stunning landscape, Kosciuszko National Park offers many exhilarating experiences. One of those is to make your way to the peak of Australia's highest mountain, Mount Kosciuszko, where you can survey the incredible panorama. The easiest way to the top of Mount Kosciuszko is via the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift , which affords brilliant views of Thredbo and Kosciuszko National Park .

The lift takes approximately 15 minutes and rises 560 metres to take you to the highest access point on the mountain. From here it’s an easy 6km walk to the peak. Kosciuszko National Park offers plenty to see and do throughout the year. During the warmer months, pack a picnic and hike along the stunning Mt Kosciuszko Summit Walk . Here you’ll find views across the Bongong Peaks, rolling waterfalls and unique flora, including silver snow daisies and mountain roses that grow wild in the area. Other activities include kayaking, mountain biking , camping, fishing , rafting, caving and horse riding . Thredbo features year-round attractions. Ski or snowboard across the region’s exciting terrain during winter and enjoy mountain biking and fly fishing in the warmer months. The area also boasts a collection of bars and restaurants, such as the Thredbo Alpine Hotel , the Denman Hotel and the Knickerbocker . It also plays host to several food and music festivals year-round, including a Wine and Cheese Festival , as well as blues, jazz and country music events.

Neighbouring towns in Kosciuszko include Charlotte Pass and Perisher Valley , which features several family friendly resorts and can be explored by bike on one of the many custom built trails throughout the area. A visit to Yarrangobilly Caves is an ideal outing for the family. The rock formations are approximately 440 million years old and include opportunities to see stalagmites, stalactites and intricate cave corals from its lofty chambers. Several of the neighbouring ski areas offer on-snow accommodation to suit a range of budgets. Kosciuszko National Park features fantastic lodge-style accommodation as well as camping and caravan options during summer. Must Do Mount Kosciuszko - New South Wales - Australia - Travel - theage.com.au Mount Kosciuszko National Park Australia's highest mountain Australia must be one of the few countries in the world where the highest peak is only 2228 m above sea level and where the climb up the country's highest mountain is nothing more than a rather pleasant 6-km walk from the top of a nearby chairlift at Thredbo village.

It operates all year round but in summer does tend to stop fairly early in the afternoon (the National Parks and Wildlife Service have built metal walkways along much of the route to protect the vegetation). An equally attractive way to reach the top of the continent is via a pleasant, easy 9-km walk from Charlotte Pass (weather permitting). The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service have published a 37 page booklet titled Beyond the Snow Gums: The Alpine Area - Kosciuszko National Park which provides detailed information on both these walks. Mount Kosciuszko was first climbed in March 1840 by the remarkable explorer and scientist Sir Paul Edmund de Strzelecki who had arrived in Sydney only a few months earlier. Upon his arrival Strzelecki announced his intention to carry out a geological survey of the whole of New South Wales.

He started in December, 1839 and by March 1840 he had reached the Alps where he ascended the country's highest peak, naming it after the Polish patriot and democratic leader Tadeusz Kosciuszko (although most Australians pronounce the park's name as 'koz-ee-oss-ko,' it really should be pronounced 'koz-chooz-ko' and, more recently, there have been attempts to promote the proper pronunciation). It has been suggested that Strzelecki named the peak Kosciuszko because its rounded shape reminded him of Kosciuszko's tomb. He then pushed on to Gippsland and finally reached the coast at Westernport. There is some dispute as to whether Strzelecki really was the first European to climb the mountain. There are suggestions that the naturalist John Lhotsky, who travelled through the Monaro and Snowy River regions in 1834, may have climbed the mountain. Certainly Stewart Ryrie Jr (one of the sons of area's earliest settlers) climbed nearby Mount Townsend in February, thus narrowly missing fame. Things to see: Accommodation and Climbing the Mountain No accommodation or eating is available.

It is advisable to start the walk to the summit before 10.00 a.m., thus allowing most of the day to complete the trek. You will find, on a clear day, that the walk takes much less time but it is better to be on the safe side. National Park The Park covers 675,000 hectares, including the Snowy River and all of NSW's snow fields. Visitors can enjoy the landscape of limestone gorges, glacial lakes, large granite boulders, alpine herbfields, heaths, bogs, areas of stony ground and interesting caves. Internationally known as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, it incorporates six wilderness areas covering about 300,000 hectares with unique plant species and also the rare corroboree frog and mountain pygmy possum. For further information ring the park office on (02) 6450 5600. Buddong Falls From the back of the Tumut 3 Power Station (5 km from Talbingo) there is a dry-weather-only road that leads to Buddong Falls where picnic tables, toilets and water are available. A steep walk provides access to the lower falls.

It is about a one-hour return track but is slippery when wet. Blue Water Holes There is a walk around this limestone gorge and an interpretative display. It is only accessible via 4WD and lies about 30 km along Long Plain Rd. Currango Homestead One of the few surviving relics of European settlement in the Park, it includes a homestead, outbuildings and workers' cottages. No camping is allowed but accommodation at the homestead can be organized, tel: (02) 6947 7025. It is located along Port Phillip Fire Trail or Tantangara Dam Rd. Day visitors are welcome. Huts Located along Long Plains Rd, there is Coolamine homestead, the Cooinbil Hut, Long Plain Hut and an interpretative display. They are 2WD accessible. Walks A booklet entitled North End Walks is available for $2.20. It outlines walking trails in the Park, tel: (02) 6947 7025.

Mount Kosciuszko - Peakbagger.com Peakbagger.com Prominence: 2228 m, 7310 ft Elevation: 2228 meters, 7310 feet True Isolation: 1894.26 km, 1177.04 mi Alternate Name(s) 36° 27' 22'' S; 148° 15' 48'' E -36.456076, 148.263399 (Dec Deg) 613211E 5964722N Zone 55 (UTM) Country New South Wales (Highest Point) Links Prominence Ladder from Mount Kosciuszko Description: Mount Kosciuszko (nicknamed "Kozzy" by the notoriously informal Ozzies) is the highest mountain on the flattest and smallest continent. A thoroughly uninspiring peak, Kosciuszko gets a lot of abuse, particularly from those who claim that the Australia/Oceania continent's rightful contribution to the "Seven Summits" is Puncak Jaya on New Guinea.

Actually, Australia does have some interesting mountainous terrain, including the escarpament areas of the Blue Mountains, the crags of Tasmania, and even Mount Townshend , a craggier peak about 1 km north of Kosciuszko and the second highest of the continent. If any one of these places held Australia's apex, people might not object to the low elevation of the continent high point. Unfortuantely, though, Australia is stuck with Mt. Kosciuszko, a laughably easy dome with a auto-passable road right to the summit. However, cars are not allowed on the road past the Charlotte's Pass area, so gaining the summit involves a very easy hike of about an hour or so, depending on your fitness. Elevation gain is minimal, and the wide-open terrain is scenic. You can also hike to the summit from the Thredbo ski area to the south, another pretty easy stroll. In the winter, there can be deep snow in the area.

The peak was named in 1840 by Polish-Australian explorer Paul Strzelecki for Tadeusz Kosciuszko (1746-1817), the Polish military hero who fought in both the American and Polish wars of independence. To Strzelecki, the peak resembled the tomb of Kosciuszko in Krakow, Poland. Some think he had climbed Mount Townshend and thought it was the highest. There is some recent controversy over the spelling of this peak. Until the late 1990s, it was spelled Kosciusko, the long-standing English-language spelling of the Polish patriot's name. However, there has been a movement lately to add the extra "z" to his name to more accurately reflect the Polish spelling, not just in Australia, but in the USA as well (for example, the "Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial" in Philadelphia). Note that a true rendition of the Polish name would have an acute accent over the first "s". And he was born Tadevush Kastsyushka in Belarus, and a true rendition of that name would, I believe, require the Cyrillic alphabet.

An editorial: Even though the governments in Australia are firmly behind the new spelling, to me it seems kind of silly. Like speakers of any other language, English speakers should have the right to make subtle changes to proper names to fit their linguistic and orthographic conventions. In English, the capital of Poland is Warsaw, not Warszawa; the explorer is named Columbus, not Colombo or Colón. I personally don't see much need to add a "z" to Koscuiszko's name, since it will have no effect on the usual English pronounciation. Mount Kosciusko's gentle, grassy summit dome (1993-10-17). Web Map Links

Question: Mount Kosciuszko is the highest mountain in which country?
Answer: Australia